More and more pole studios are opening up in Singapore, I guess this is also because more people are taking up this sport, at the same time due to space constraints at home, most learners are unable to fix a pole at home. I used to have a pole at home before it got renovated, little did I know that my pole was on a faux ceiling all the while. It is actually very dangerous but seems like nothing happened all the years. I guess being a pole owner you really need to know more technicals etc.
Well, that being said, one of these days I will write something on owning a pole though. For now , I guess the best choice is go to the studios. Besides the usual classes, there are a few studios dedicated for pure Pole Practice.
Let’s cover 2 new studios which just opened up recently besides the usual louder names like Breathe Dance Co., Slap, Brass Barre, PXD, old gamer: Acropolates.
NEW POLE SCHOOLS
Diva
I Studio without lights
OUE Downtown, #B1-01/02 Singapore, Singapore 068809
A new school opening on the basement of Downtown gallery OUE. This is quite a nice place with many startups. There is a climbing school and a gym before reaching the DIVA studio. Personally, I felt the Studio area is really large and there are more than 10 poles in the I studio. The studios are names after alphabets of the school’s name. D. I .V.A, all have poles inside, except for Studio A, mainly for dancing. They have trials going at 15 dollars one time, classes comes in a wide myriad, flow, floor, lyrical , exotic non pole, sexy twerk classes. The usual level classes are also available. The pole pract is going at $11 for a session of 1hr30 min which I find pretty reasonable. Many studios are charging above $10 for 1hr30 min now. Which I feel for those who can afford the space at home, should really consider fixing a pole.
144 Robinson Rd, #07-02, Singapore 068908
Brass Pole in Starfire
Basically only did a trial on tricks class and had a couple of Pole pract here, the space is same like SLAP dance studio, in fact in the same building. But personally felt too many poles inside. Studio is a school with pole practice, there is one toilet, a changing area and a small show case selling grip aids. Porviding flexibility, lyrical, usual level tricks classes and exotic classes. In terms of design wise, both DIVA and Star Fire does not have special murals like SLAP, Breathedance.co or PXD with a background for you to take pictures with. In short maybe not as IG worthy, but the mirrors in the studios allow you to check on your posture and pose pretty efficiently. One thing I realize is that some of the studio instructors are from the previously Pole Lab, like Mei Yan, Illeane and Leron. Most of them are young and this studio gives you the PXD vibes where most goers are the after 80s and Millenials. There is also fair mix of guys and girls in the studio.
326D King George Avenue King George Building, 208567
Mauve Background
This studio is like a subsidiary from SLAP. Opened by Pearlyn, who happen to be one of my dance classmate in Groove. Classes and Pole practice are available here, head over to the SLAP site to make reservations. To get to the Studio is a killer, with flights of steps up to the Fifth floor. The studio is nestled in sort of multipurpose flatted office building which now is occupied by many different schools and other business offices. Climbing the steps is like more or less a very good warm up. Studio is really very instagrammy, with nice black background ample space between the poles. The studio is long in length which makes it kinda difficult to see the other end, it is also a little glaring without curtains and screened windows when the sun is high. There are also large toilets for changing.
FOR POLE PRACTICE ONLY
After Sirene, a couple more pole practice targeted dance studios began to pop up. In a way they are easy to manage because you do not need to hire anyone, all remotely managed with Number locks and CCTVs to ensure that practice attendees adhere to Studio rules. Maybe people are finding this concept lucrative, but personally I feel that most pract people only show up during the Peak hours, some how if only you have more poles during those hours then probably you will make a lot of profit. So far the ones I went, has 3 poles at most. Lets take a look:
Sirene@KBR (63 Kampong Bahru Rd – #02-02)
Sirene@Nehsons (24 Peck Seah St, Nehsons Building – #02-13)
Sirene brass pole
Began with only the Kampong Bahru Studio, they have expanded another one in Tanjong Pagar area, Nehsons building. I only went to the Kampong Bahru one before. No real lessons here just purely pole practice. There are only 2poles inside, one brass and one steel one. The setting is nice, black and white. There is also an attached toilet, with shower. This pole studio also has overnight dancing choice, this night owl option is from midnight to morning 6 am at $68. Off peak hour per pole is $10 while peak is $15. Personally I feel, the ceiling is a bit too low. Its like two climbs and you are at the top, coming from a short person like me, I think for those wearing 8″ can just hop climb to the top. The floor material is quite smooth. Studio provides free WIFI, and Spotify music from the in house phone. There is also a clothes rack of costumes for you to play around with. The location is however not so conducive because you need to walk quite a bit from the Outram MRT station.
195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace S168976 #01-19
Pearls Hill Studio
Somehow all these Pole Practice only studios are not that large, 3 poles at most, at the same time they use the same type of booking website. Another similarity is the timing, Peak/ Off peak and night owl. In terms of price, they hover around $10-$15 for an hour. You can also add on the hours. This studio has higher ceiling, 3 poles, 2 steel and 1 brass. It has a pink feminine look same facilities with the WIFI and the Sportify handphone with loudspeaker to film your favorite moves. However, the toilet is not attached you will need to go out to use. Another minus point is that you need to climb quite a bit to get to the studio since it is on a hill. The air-conditioning is also not that strong so for the sweaty people it might be a little challenging.
70 Shenton Way, EON SHENTON, #08-03
Entrance to the Studio
Remote Controlling of the studio
Poles in the studio
A studio that is nestled in Tanjong Pagar, more like a condominium apartment renovated to a studio. Three poles with one brass and 2 steel ones. This studio gives you a feeling you are at home with the setting like an apartment. They have an attached toilet with shower. As it is pretty new only opened in Mar 2021, most of the things are still new and in working condition. The studio is same like the previous two, all using number lock. So after you book the slots, a pin code will be sent to you. Some will think that with the number lock system, as long as you do not go out of the studio, you can use as long as you want. BUT wait there is CCTV checking on you. The bill goes on. The selling point of the studio is probably its changing colour lights around the mirror , I think it will look better at night, but since I went afternoon, so maybe the effect is not there. Pricing is about the same as the previous 2 studios. The studio is a quick walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT, but you still need to go through the security in this Covid times.
By far the studio with the highest ceiling since it is in a shophouse. I really like the setting because it is airy and large. You not only get to pole here, you also get to do Aerial Silks and Hoop. I guess it is finally something for those doing other apparatus to get excited about. There are four poles here in the studio. They have a large changing and toilet area. One thing to note besides the WIFI and Sportify is the amount of grip testers, small snacks and treats for the users. The toilet is also furnished with pads and panty liners for those unexpected moments. Really something very well thought of.
Well, that is all for the reporting now. Another new studio is coming up. I guess more and more will spring up. I once thought of this idea to open the pole practice studio with number lock but now that more and more are springing up, I guess I would have to think of something new. Its been a while I wrote something long on pole dancing, so till the next article.